Starting 5

[RebelW]

With Qualls and Portis gone to the NBA and the money problems.. Who will be our starting 5 this year in your opinion?

[Hawg Red]

Kingsley
Miles
Whitt
Bell
Durham

[-Blu]

Kingsley
Miles
Whitt
Bell
Durham

Yep.  That's what I expect to see on day 1.  We'll have a bunch of different starting lineups though, I'm sure Watkins and Hannahs will see their fair share of starts as well.  And of course if Beard makes it back he'll eventually take that starting PG spot.

[hogsanity]

Kingsley
Miles
Whitt
Bell
Durham

that lineup will strike fear into no one. Not what would be called an offensive juggernaut. 

[Jonteviosk]

hey look its hogsanity the guy probably laughing at the Toledo game.

[onebadrubi]

hey look its hogsanity the guy probably laughing at the Toledo game.

After seeing your football reaction, I think I can safely say you need to be put on suicide watch till baseball season. 

[hogsanity]

hey look its hogsanity the guy probably laughing at the Toledo game.

why would I be laughing at that? It was a bad loss. What I have found comical is that many of those freaking out saying BB needs to go, are the same ones willing to give Mike 50 years.

[HoopS]

why would I be laughing at that? It was a bad loss. What I have found comical is that many of those freaking out saying BB needs to go, are the same ones willing to give Mike 50 years.

I can't speak on that because I don't know who is calling for his firing, but I do know that nobody I know is willing to wait forever on Mike. Certainly they aren't calling for his head after winning 27 games when it's been a long time since we've even sniffed that many wins. To do so would be crazy.

I am a backer of both coaches. Coach B need to keep his head down and grind. Need to show up ready to win the trench war Saturday or we may get embarrassed again. My preference is for him to do more talking on the field than into the mic.

Likewise, I want to see Coach A continue to get results with what he has. He's the one who has signed this team and so he needs to continue to show he can win. I expect a setback this season due to all of those we lost. I also expect to see us sign a nice class and to compete hard this season and maybe win more than some expect. I'm hoping between 18-22. I've seen some calling for us to be under .500.

Either way, both coaches need to be working their tails off for the program.

[TomBigBeeHog]

why would I be laughing at that? It was a bad loss. What I have found comical is that many of those freaking out saying BB needs to go, are the same ones willing to give Mike 50 years.

This was so wrong that I deleted my answer to it.

[hawginbigd1]

Kingsley
Miles
Whitt
Bell
Durham

So if this is the 5, is Watkins the backup point?

[TomBigBeeHog]

So if this is the 5, is Watkins the backup point?

Some posters seem to think that Hannahs give us some minutes at the point. I hope they are right because that would be great, to have a three point shooter with the rock in his hands getting the offense initiated. should open the passing lanes.

[Big Nasty 34]

So if this is the 5, is Watkins the backup point?

If not Hannahs, then keep Durham or Whitt in to handle ball. Will be a rotation for sure.

[-Blu]

So if this is the 5, is Watkins the backup point?

I'm sure it will be by "committee" when Durham is not in.  Watkins will play PG some, Whitt for sure will play some PG, Hannahs may also see some time with the ball in his hands.

I suspect that Durham and Whitt will handle the ball most of the time though, and that's if Beard doesn't return at some point.

[Hawg Red]

So if this is the 5, is Watkins the backup point?

Watkins and Hannahs would handle the ball off the bench.

[Scott7703]

I'm sure it will be by "committee" when Durham is not in.  Watkins will play PG some, Whitt for sure will play some PG, Hannahs may also see some time with the ball in his hands.

I suspect that Durham and Whitt will handle the ball most of the time though, and that's if Beard doesn't return at some point.

I don't believe beard will be out as long as some on here seem to think.

[-Blu]

I don't believe beard will be out as long as some on here seem to think.

I don't know what to expect honestly.  Speaking of that... anyone heard anything about Thomas?  Wasn't his hearing today?

[Hawg Red]

I don't know what to expect honestly.  Speaking of that... anyone heard anything about Thomas?  Wasn't his hearing today?

Thomas pled not guilty today. All 3 have a hearing scheduled for October 27 now.

[ErieHog]

I think the OP probably has our primary starting 5, though I expect to see a *lot* of lineups.

[TomBigBeeHog]

I think the OP probably has our primary starting 5, though I expect to see a *lot* of lineups.

Ok, sounds like a good 5 but more importantly who are the 5 who lead us in minutes played?

Also, who are the 5 on the floor in the last 5 minutes of the game?

[hawginbigd1]

Kingsley
Miles
Whitt Watkins
Bell
Durham

I really think it will look like this in the beginning, and at some point replace Durham with Whitt as the regular starting 5 but that is just my gut sense.

[TomBigBeeHog]

I really think it will look like this in the beginning, and at some point replace Durham with Whitt as the regular starting 5 but that is just my gut sense.

I could see MA bringing Whitt along slowly and giving him starters minutes off the bench.

[UNCLE BACK]

Whitt
Watkins
Bell
Miles
Kingsley

I am getting Reports from the Workouts and I've been told that Whitt is the best guard Mike has ever had.
Whitt will start every game this year unless he is injured. Mike has zero time to bring him along slowly.

[TomBigBeeHog]

I am getting Reports from the Workouts and I've been told that Whitt is the best guard Mike has ever had.
Whitt will start every game this year unless he is injured. Mike has zero time to bring him along slowly.

Zero time? 

Really though, I didn't mean bringing him along slowly in terms of how much he plays and impacts the game. I was just saying that MA could bring him off the bench just to ease him into the starting line up later. He would already have been a de facto starter anyway in terms of minutes played which is the most important stat, especially on a CMA team.

[UNCLE BACK]

Zero time? 

Really though, I didn't mean bringing him along slowly in terms of how much he plays and impacts the game. I was just saying that MA could bring him off the bench just to ease him into the starting line up later. He would already have been a de facto starter anyway in terms of minutes played which is the most important stat, especially on a CMA team.

I smell what your stinking but he will start from day one.

[TomBigBeeHog]

I smell what your stinking but he will start from day one.

I am not opposed to the idea just saying that in the scheme of things it wouldn't make much difference if he came off the bench but still played starters minutes.

I get it that you are certain that he will start though. I can respect that idea and wouldn't mind seeing him starting.

[UNCLE BACK]

I am not opposed to the idea just saying that in the scheme of things it wouldn't make much difference if he came off the bench but still played starters minutes.

I get it that you are certain that he will start though. I can respect that idea and wouldn't mind seeing him starting.

This is not coming directly from Mike Andersons mouth but somebody that sits real close to him on the bench. Mike wants to get off to quick offensive starts this year and will need Whitt to do that.

[Hawg Red]

I am not opposed to the idea just saying that in the scheme of things it wouldn't make much difference if he came off the bench but still played starters minutes.

I get it that you are certain that he will start though. I can respect that idea and wouldn't mind seeing him starting.

Starting vs coming off the mind brings a difference of mindset, so there is a definite difference. Seems like an unnecessary adjustment period to me. Just start him on this under-talented team being that he's most likely the most talented player. Play him early, play late, play him in-between. He's going to play 30 MPG as a freshman. Not sure what benefit bringing him off the bench brings.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Starting vs coming off the mind brings a difference of mindset, so there is a definite difference. Seems like an unnecessary adjustment period to me. Just start him on this under-talented team being that he's most likely the most talented player. Play him early, play late, play him in-between. He's going to play 30 MPG as a freshman. Not sure what benefit bringing him off the bench brings.

Wasn't advocating either way, just saying he could come off the bench and ease into the starting lineup.

[Hogimus Prime]

I like  Hannahs and Watkins off the bench.  Hannhas can be the shooter/offensive spark and Watkins the defensive stopper.

[ErieHog]

Whitt
Watkins
Bell
Miles
Kingsley

I am getting Reports from the Workouts and I've been told that Whitt is the best guard Mike has ever had.
Whitt will start every game this year unless he is injured. Mike has zero time to bring him along slowly.

I really hope that is a function of Whitt being the best guard he's ever had, and him dominating a lower level of competition than expected.

[azhog10]

why would I be laughing at that? It was a bad loss. What I have found comical is that many of those freaking out saying BB needs to go, are the same ones willing to give Mike 50 years.

And vice versa right? The ones saying Mike needs to go are willing to give CBB many more years to put together a team that will be the might Toledo.

[hogsanity]

And vice versa right? The ones saying Mike needs to go are willing to give CBB many more years to put together a team that will be the might Toledo.

Who said Mike needs to go? Mike is about to coach his 135th game as Hog HC. BB is about to coach his 28th. Much more substantial body of work already turned in by one than the other. Yet some want to compare them as if they are in the same spot in their tenures.

[UNCLE BACK]

Who said Mike needs to go? Mike is about to coach his 135th game as Hog HC. BB is about to coach his 28th. Much more substantial body of work already turned in by one than the other. Yet some want to compare them as if they are in the same spot in their tenures.

Great Point actually. In 7 more years, then you can compare. that's when BB will have coached 135 games at the Help. Great great point!

[OnTheHillHogFan]

I really hope that is a function of Whitt being the best guard he's ever had, and him dominating a lower level of competition than expected.

He is definitely the best guard on the team right now.

[azhog10]

Who said Mike needs to go? Mike is about to coach his 135th game as Hog HC. BB is about to coach his 28th. Much more substantial body of work already turned in by one than the other. Yet some want to compare them as if they are in the same spot in their tenures.

I'm not saying they are in the same spot in their tenures. Are you saying that you have not given the impression that Mike should go? I'm not kidding myself, maybe it's time you do the same.

[hogsanity]

I'm not saying they are in the same spot in their tenures. Are you saying that you have not given the impression that Mike should go? I'm not kidding myself, maybe it's time you do the same.

Go now? Not at all. Go after this season if they do not make the NCAAT in yr 5, which would mean only 1 trip in 5 seasons? I'd say it should be seriously considered. But everyone is going to just keep throwing out the 2016 recruiting class as reason to keep him, I have already resigned myself to that.

And, in the spirit of fairness, if after 5 season BB has only 1 or maybe 2 trips to minor bowls, and has not mounted a serious charge at the sec title, letting him go at that point should be seriously considered as well.

[UNCLE BACK]

You can't compare in My opinion because We won two SEC games last year and we went to a Bowl. If Mike went 5 and 13 in the SEC he would not even make the NIT. Hell we didn't make the NIT his second year when we went over 500 in the SEC.  BB has had every tool at his disposal to recruit and he has done a great job recruiting. Results have not appeared much on the Football field yet. Maybe they will soon. Mike has not had a practice facility until now yet he has a pretty dang good SEC record since he has arrived with mostly 3 star athletes. Lets see what Mike does with the new facility and maybe a real good 2016 class...

[TomBigBeeHog]

You can't compare in My opinion because We won two SEC games last year and we went to a Bowl. If Mike went 5 and 13 in the SEC he would not even make the NIT. Hell we didn't make the NIT his second year when we went over 500 in the SEC.  BB has had every tool at his disposal to recruit and he has done a great job recruiting. Results have not appeared much on the Football field yet. Maybe they will soon. Mike has not had a practice facility until now yet he has a pretty dang good SEC record since he has arrived with mostly 3 star athletes. Lets see what Mike does with the new facility and maybe a real good 2016 class...

Agree with you on the recruiting assessment. CMA has not been on a level playing field until he got the new facility this summer. As you correctly point out, CMA has gotten a lot done with less. Now, he needs a chance to build on that success and the new facility should help get better talent overall.

By the way, change your handle to UNCLE FATBACK, don't know why I think this would fit you better. Maybe its the avatar.

[hogsanity]

Jump Ball should be changed to: Nothing. Is Ever. Mike Anderson's. Fault.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Jump Ball should be changed to: Nothing. Is Ever. Mike Anderson's. Fault.

Segued nicely to the negative narrative. Practice makes perfect.

[hawginbigd1]

So about that starting 5!

[PorkSoda]

I didn't realize we had enough players to put 5 on the court

[Hogwop]

Nm

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Jump Ball should be changed to: Nothing. Is Ever. Mike Anderson's. Fault.

Really? I see more posts similar to yours where everything is his fault include the 15 sucky years before he got back here.

Same time frame that he was taking 2 other inferior programs to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. MA isn't perfect but he isn't the idiot ppl on here make him out to be.

[TheRazorbackGuy]

Really? I see more posts similar to yours where everything is his fault include the 15 sucky years before he got back here.

Same time frame that he was taking 2 other inferior programs to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. MA isn't perfect but he isn't the idiot ppl on here make him out to be.

Arkansas has only had 3 head coaches in basketball since 2002 with Heath, Pelphrey and now MA. That's 3 coaches in a 13 year period. That's not totally unstable. Now let's look at football where from 2007-2013 Arkansas has had 5 different head coaches (Nutt, Herring, Petrino, John L Smith and now CBB). The basketball program wasn't as far unstable as your making it out to be. Hogsanity has a point here too even if you don't agree with him it's certainly a valid and arguable opinion.

[hogsanity]

Really? I see more posts similar to yours where everything is his fault include the 15 sucky years before he got back here.

Same time frame that he was taking 2 other inferior programs to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. MA isn't perfect but he isn't the idiot ppl on here make him out to be.

See, your post is exactly what a few of us are talking about. No one, at least that I can find, has called Mike an idiot.  And, we think if your goal is to to be around the bubble most years, and maybe win a nccat game or two every now and then, he is definitely not a terrible choice for that ( although you can get that a lot cheaper ). I have said many times, Mike is a great guy, good, but not great, coach, and just "meh" as a recruiter. I do NOT think he is dumb, stupid, ignorant, moronic, or idioatic, but I also do not think he is a great coach.

[TomBigBeeHog]

My starting 5

Durham (by default)
Bell
Watkins
Miles
Kingsley

[hogsanity]

My starting 5

Durham (by default)
Bell
Watkins
Miles
Kingsley

Do you think Whitt leads in minutes played, even if he does not start ( at least among the guards )?  That is assuming Beard does not play. If/hen Beard is back, he plays 32+ a game.

[azhog10]

Arkansas has only had 3 head coaches in basketball since 2002 with Heath, Pelphrey and now MA. That's 3 coaches in a 13 year period. That's not totally unstable. Now let's look at football where from 2007-2013 Arkansas has had 5 different head coaches (Nutt, Herring, Petrino, John L Smith and now CBB). The basketball program wasn't as far unstable as your making it out to be. Hogsanity has a point here too even if you don't agree with him it's certainly a valid and arguable opinion.

To be fair Herring coached one game, it was a bowl game. Nutt had been the coach for 10 seasons. So from the start of his tenure in 1998 we've had 5 different coaches with one of those only coaching one game. since 2008 we've had 3 coaches. Not as completely unstable as you would like to make it look. Doing what you did with football, since 2006 Arkansas has had three coaches....not as different as football when you approach it from that direction.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Do you think Whitt leads in minutes played, even if he does not start ( at least among the guards )?  That is assuming Beard does not play. If/hen Beard is back, he plays 32+ a game.

Whitt probably leads all players in minutes played, especially if Beard doesn't come back.